Terlato Wines has entered an exclusive agreement to import to the U.S. the premium brand of Goretti wines of Umbria. The Goretti family is known for making some of the region’s very best wines from native grapes including Grechetto and Sagrantino, a wonderful addition to Terlato Wines growing portfolio of Italian wines.

Starting in early 2013, Terlato will offer three Goretti wines nationwide: the 100 percent Grechetto, a white made from the indigenous grape of Umbria; Rosso di Montefalco, a red blend named for the historic town where it is made; and Sagrantino di Montefalco, a red made from the highly respected native grape of the area.

“I tasted these wines at VinItaly and fell in love with the quality and style of the Goretti family’s wines,” said William A. Terlato, president and CEO of Terlato Wines. “Their expertise in creating indigenous Italian varietals like Grechetto and Sagrantino is second-to-none. Between our shared Italian heritage and family pride in making and selling extraordinary wines, and the fact that we both have four generations in the wine business, this is a perfect partnership.”

Shared History

The Terlatos and Gorettis may have built their family businesses on different continents, but they share some unique traits and philosophies. The Goretti family began farming the hillsides below the ancient gates of the town of Perugia in the early 1900s, and after starting a winery in the 1960s, their estate became a popular spot for locals and travelers alike to enjoy genuine family warmth and superb wines.

“We are extremely proud to bring these exciting Umbrian wines to American consumers,” said Anthony Terlato, chairman of Terlato Wines. “The Gorettis are one of Umbria’s most important producers, well esteemed for their expertise in making excellent wines.”

Today, the Goretti family continues to respect Umbrian winemaking tradition while taking advantage of modern techniques to produce the highest quality wines possible.

“We are so excited to join the Terlato Wines portfolio,” Winemaker Sara Goretti said. “We share many common traits of winemaking families, including a commitment to quality and the goal of making every bottle an exceptional experience. Terlato Wines has the ability to bring our wines to many people in the U.S. and we are pleased more people will be able to enjoy our wines.”

Wines with Unique Consumer Appeal

The Goretti wines will appeal to consumers eager to explore interesting local varietals that offer purity and authenticity, starting with the white Grechetto. This native Umbrian grape was once largely lost in blends but by sheer force of personality has taken the spotlight. Under Sara Goretti’s hand, the low-yielding, thick-skinned grape yields a wine with intriguing depth.

The Goretti Rosso di Montefalco is 60 percent Sangiovese and equal parts Merlot and Sagrantino from Montefalco, a town overlooking the countryside in the central part of the Umbrian province of Perugia. The wine is aged 12 months in barrel and six months in bottle before release. The Sagrantino di Montefalco is 100 percent Sagrantino and is known for its tannic, muscular character, beloved by both Sagrantino and Napa Valley Cabernet lovers. Both Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast have recognized the Goretti Sagrantino di Montefalco with 90+ scores.

In their influential book “Vino Italiano,” Joseph Bastianich and David Lynch write, “The only thing holding Sagrantino back is that there isn’t that much of it,” with just around 250 acres grown. The Gorettis are fortunate to have some. The DOCG Goretti Sagrantino di Montefalco has all of the complex, spicy rich aromatic character the grape is known for, with blackberry and raspberry notes, framed on the palate by rich tannins.